Laminate stocks?

[RLA]

I am in process of getting a SS guide gun, i am thinking of getting a laminate stock for it.
does anyone have an suggestions or experience with these for a Marlin?
thanks, Ron

[Old Grizz]

Ron,
I don't really see any big advantage to a laminated over a wood stock. I like real wood for a gun stock, but that's my personal preference. I'm not sure the cost would be worth it. I can see using a synthetic stock for rough use and especially on an 1895GS model. Honestly, if your worried about scratching the stock, don't be, that Marshield is a tough finish.

[big medicine]

 I have the laminate stock on my 308MXLR and I like it. But like Grizz said, there isn't any thing wrong with the Walnut stock. Guns were made to be used..

[Keith L]

Laminated stocks are great for guns that are to be used because they are quite stable when wet.  Walnut stocks change shape when wet, and again when they dry out putting differing pressure on barrels and actions.  More than once I have had folks convinced that their scope was broken, only to find out that they had been hunting in the rain and their poi had shifted.

Having said that, I don't think you will have nearly as much trouble with a two piece stock such as on a Marlin Lever.  I have seen this on bolt guns, but you never know.  The laminated stocks are nearly as stable as the plastic ones.  Most of the new guns I have purcased in the last few years were stainless and synthetic or laminated for just this purpose.

[Winter Hawk]

Laminate will be stronger if you are dragging yourself up a mountain and the stock gets wedged behind a boulder while you lose your footing and....  As far as the wood being stable, in a two piece stock it won't make any difference.  A one piece stock on a tack driving bolt action is something different, of course.  My model 88 Winchester has a one piece stock and will shoot minute of angle if I do my part, and I never noticed any change when I was in SE Alaska out in the rain all day with it.  Other rifles do change the POI as the wood swells and laminate will stabilize them.

Laminate is also heavier which may make a difference how you feel at the end of a day of hunting!

-WH-

[Camp Cook]

I installed black/gray laminate stocks onto my 1895GS.

I bought the stocks directly from Marlin but from the comments made to me by the good people at Marlin I maybe the only person that they have sold them to and they weren't going to sell them anymore.

Here is a picture of it along with my T/C Contender carbine in 45-70 and Ruger Bisley Vaquero's in 45 Colt...

No I hadn't finished grinding the Kick-Eez recoil pads yet in this picture.   

[john keyes]

given a choice I will always choose a laminated stock over a plain one, and a plain one over a synthetic.  But thats really for all rifles, universally in general.  That being said, none of my Marlins have laminated stocks because they are all blue (which I prefer) and not stainless.

[headoftheholler]

With the exception of the beautiful, yet pricey, laminate stocks from Brockmans and Wild west's kevlar stocks,  who makes/sells laminate stocks for Marlins (336, 1895)?

[S.B.]

Laminated stocks are great for guns that are to be used because they are quite stable when wet.  Walnut stocks change shape when wet, and again when they dry out putting differing pressure on barrels and actions.  More than once I have had folks convinced that their scope was broken, only to find out that they had been hunting in the rain and their poi had shifted.

Having said that, I don't think you will have nearly as much trouble with a two piece stock such as on a Marlin Lever.  I have seen this on bolt guns, but you never know.  The laminated stocks are nearly as stable as the plastic ones.  Most of the new guns I have purcased in the last few years were stainless and synthetic or laminated for just this purpose.

I've seen a few that the layers have started to separate? One on a Remiington model 600. Causes me to wonder, maybe they're not so stable?

[Keith L]

I see them as the mid point between wood and synthetic.  By stable I mean that when wet they are far less likely to warp putting pressure on actions and barrels.  If not properly sealed they can swell up but don't tend to swell like a regular wood stock.  I am mostly getting synthetic stocks and stainless steel on new guns I buy now because of that.  Seems when I have the time to hunt around here it is either raining or snowing.

No matter what you have it needs to be stored clean and dry or it will be junk when you take it back out the next time.

[S.B.]

Keith L, if you would of added glassed over with ice, and bitterly cold, I would of thought you from Illinois? I think IDNR plans things that way?
Steve

[Keith L]

Keith L, if you would of added glassed over with ice, and bitterly cold, I would of thought you from Illinois? I think IDNR plans things that way?
Steve

Actually you are our neighbors to the south.  In Wisconsin we rarely have the gentle, warm weather you southerners do <VBG>.

[S.B.]

I hunted a few really nasty seasons up near Black River Falls in your state. All the soldiers around here complain about Ft. McCoy being so cold, also.

[Keith L]

It gets cold, but I also have no trouble finding places where I can go all day without seeing anyone else, or even a trace of human activity.  I need time in the woods to keep the small bit of sanity I have left...

[S.B.]

Amen brother, I hear that!

[barracudadave67]

Where can one find nice laminated stocks for a Mod 1895 staight stock. I have epoxied the cracks in my oricinal stock and foar arm twice since new in 72. I would like to get a set of the brown laminate, as the gun is blue.

Thanks  Dave C. aka barracudadave67